Random thought, Military spouse here. Median household income is $83,219, which feels pretty solid for the area. The unemployment rate is 1.9%, which is pretty low. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
12 upvotes
11 Replies
Alice K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 36, moved here 8 years ago from Miami. I've lived in South and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Miami, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
39 upvotes
Ian Harris
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Baltimore it's better than expected.
36 upvotes
John M.
yeah no that's not right
35 upvotes
Ian King
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
Michael P.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Pittsburgh it's improving.
20 upvotes
Cameron N.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- The cost of living scene is improving
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
15 upvotes
Asher G.
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
14 upvotes
Everett White
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
9 upvotes
Alexander Roberts
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Eastside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
8 upvotes
Madeline Taylor
Bought a house here in 2018 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
4 upvotes
Adrian Brown
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
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